Molly, Signal fork introduced multiple devices support tablets included, all linked to one single account
(github.com)
from celmit@lemmy.ca to technology@lemmy.ml on 17 Sep 2023 14:22
https://lemmy.ca/post/5479995
from celmit@lemmy.ca to technology@lemmy.ml on 17 Sep 2023 14:22
https://lemmy.ca/post/5479995
#technology
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How long till they cut off access?
You will likely need to update every two weeks or it will stop working
It’s not an assumption. The vanilla Signal app has code in it that disables itself after a certain period without updates. Unless they removed that from this app, then this will do the same thing.
Not just updates, you need to periodically poll for messages as well, anyone who runs signal-cli runs into these issues
The second Signal works out that this exists.
Why would they do that?
Their terms and services forbid third party clients for security reasons, and they have enforced it before. They have a bit of a point in that they can’t ensure that 3rd party applications aren’t spying on you, or more importantly other users you chat with, but that point is mooted when they refuse to document the risk of other apps, like your phone keyboard or “AI” assistant doing the same (which is already happening in some countries).
My name ain’t molly…
Switched to Molly after this update.
How didn’t we have that until now.
How’s it working? I was going to switch over today solely for linked tablet support.
Is it interoperable with signal?
I was curious, so I read the GitHub page:
Thanks!
also looks like few days ago Louis Rossmann made a substantial donation to Mollyim.
Here is an alternative Piped link(s):
Louis Rossmann
Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.
I’m open-source, check me out at GitHub.
Rossman’s embrace of FOSS is such an inspiration. Most people who claim to value freedom aren’t ready to put their money where their mouth is, let alone change their behavior at all.
Cool. I really respect his opinions, so I’ll definitely be giving this a look. I still need to get my wife on board though, since that’s what killed Signal for me last time I tried it (no point when the person I send the most sensitive info to doesn’t use it).
Can you simply use a signal backup to move to Molly ? And can you go easily back to Signal, if required in the future ?
I want to know this, too. I have signal now, but don’t mind moving over if I simply didn’t lose anything.
you create a backup on signal and then restore from backup in molly. Nothing’s lost.
As long as the Molly version is greater than or equal to the Signal version, it will work. Molly updates usually trail behind signal updates, so you’ll have to either time it right or pause updates on you Signal app.
Does it have sms/mms function?
It does not.
Dang.
No, but you still need to give them your phone number in order to sign up.
Does it support Stories?
The question everyone’s dying to know
Yes
Nice, thanks!
I completely forgot Signal added stories. People use that?
Yeah it’s pretty much the only form of private social media there is.
the two can co-exist as well… you can keep your Signal install on your primary device and you can install Molly on a tablet, and have it linked to your Signal app as a linked device. this way there’s no loss of data on your primary device
Oh that’s nice to know !
Just installed the FOSS version, was greeted with a “you can encrypt your database with a passphrase” message, put a long password in both fields, and, well, app crashes. Not really trustworthy imo
Shorter password and even just letters (yikes) doesn’t work either
So, encryption is just flat out broken then?
In my experience, yes. Can only speak for myself and my device though
Okay, everyone, I installed the current update and the app no longer crashes 🥳 but now I don’t know how to import my Signal data from within the same phone (the local export/import doesn’t really work and doesn’t include messages)
Apologies, but why would one prefer the fork over the original? Aren’t they both FOSS anyways?
No, the original depends on proprietary blobs. And so does molly, unless you use the FOSS version explicitly.
What do they use proprietary blobs for?
AFAIK, Google Maps, Firebase Cloud Messaging, Authentication and (since v5.24.15) Wallet/Payments. Might be more.
Ah, that makes sense. Thanks!
Who tf calls his software “Molly”?
After switching from an iPad to an Android tablet recently this is exactly what I was looking for